U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents encountered a slithery surprise when investigating a suspicious package at Kennedy International Airport's mail facility.

Officials seized five live king cobras and three geckos that were stuffed in a round container on June 29, The Associated Press reported.

Agents said the package from Hong Kong was labeled, "plastic tray.”

The reptiles were sent to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for further investigation, the agency said in a news release.

King cobras are the world’s largest venomous snakes and can grow to nearly 19 feet, The Associated Press reported.

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Patty Durand is a former Public Service Commission candidate and frequent critic of the agency and Georgia Power. (Courtesy)

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